ODM wants Onyango Oloo’s case dismissed

The Political Parties Tribunal has been asked to dismiss an appeal by Onyango Oloo.

The former TNA secretary-general lost the Kisumu Central ODM ticket to Fred Odhiambo. The ticket had earlier been issued to the current MP Ken Obura, but the party’s election panel reversed the decision and handed it to Oloo.

The decision was later nullified and the certificate given to Odhiambo, forcing Oloo to file an appeal before the Tribunal.

He disputed the results saying the exercise was marred with irregularities. The party says it has already issued the certificate to Odhiambo and its decision cannot be reversed.

“What Oloo is seeking cannot be granted because he has failed to demonstrate how the nomination Proseccos was marred with irregularities,” the party’s legal Officer Antony Muturi states.

He added that all the persons who took part in the exercise received equal treatment and the voters were given their opportunity to democratically nominate candidates of their choice.

“The application is irrelevant, illegal and irregular and as such the honorable Tribunal should dismiss it in totality with costs,” said the lawyer.

Onyango Oloo’s appeal dismissed by the Political Parties Tribunal

The Election panel chairman Bernard Omondi said Oloo won with 20, 998 votes against Odhiambo, who got 11,960 while incumbent Obura emerged third with 3,287 votes.

The chairman rubbished earlier results that had named Obura as the winner having garnered 24,601 votes against his closest competitor Fred Odhiambo who got 13,613 votes and Oloo 5,090.

But the National Appeals Tribunal overturned the decision and gave the certificate to Ouda.

Oloo want the certificate issued to Ouda cancelled saying the nomination was marred with irregularities.

He says the party had preferred candidates from the start and constituents have been denied a chance to be represented by candidate of their choice.

ODM says the allegations are outrageous and of criminal nature adding that if in deed there’s any true to the claims “he and the returning officer should have reported to the police”.

ODM says unless Oloo demonstrate to the tribunal that the process of the nomination was marred with irregularities, his suit should be struck out.

“ODM is a party that promotes inclusiveness, democracy and participation of the people in its elections. The party stands by the values of free, fair and regular elections,” adds Muturi.